Spanish-language television : cultural and industrial transformations /
With streaming on the rise and convergent media changing the ways that viewers engage entertainment, some forecast the death of television. And yet, despite technological shifts and predications, there is no evidence that Latinx audiences are not watching Spanish-language television in its tradition...
| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Book |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Austin :
University of Texas Press,
[2025].
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| Edition: | First edition. |
| Subjects: |
| Summary: | With streaming on the rise and convergent media changing the ways that viewers engage entertainment, some forecast the death of television. And yet, despite technological shifts and predications, there is no evidence that Latinx audiences are not watching Spanish-language television in its traditional form. In fact, Latina/o audiences consume broadcast media more than other audiences. In the first accessibly written book-length work investigating Spanish-language television that looks beyond early industry history to explore content, circulation and reception, authors Jillian Báez and Manuel Avilés-Santiago argue that Spanish language television is exceptional within the global television industry and that it is a forerunner in technological innovations. It is by virtue of its openness to innovation and its flexibility in its engagement strategies that Spanish-language television, and particularly the two top broadcast networks Univision and Telemundo, remains continuously relevant to a heterogeneous and shifting audience. Báez and Avilés-Santiago explore various facets of Spanish-language television. Variety shows like Sábado Gigante (Univision) or infotainment with shows like Primer Impacto (Univision) and Al Rojo Vivo (Telemundo) demonstrate how a diversity of formats serve as industrial commodities for these networks and as sites to interrogate notions of local, national and transnational. A chapter dedicated to language itself uses reality television to show how the industry challenges the industry norm of "Walter Cronkite" Spanish. Chapters on race, gender and sexuality are critical of the lack of inclusion of Afro-Latinos and the ways in which programming reinforces traditional gender roles. The final chapter on audience provides examples of how networks adapt to demographic shifts in ways that are unique in the larger television industry. The conclusion connects the project with Spanish-language streaming services and Spanish-language television during crises and particularly COVID-19. |
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| Physical Description: | 184 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm. |
| Bibliography: | Includes bibliographical references and index. |
| ISBN: | 9781477331156 1477331158 9781477331163 1477331166 |